Waterfowl decoy system

ABSTRACT

A waterfowl decoy system used by one or more hunters for simulating large numbers of geese and ducks in a field or on a water surface. The system includes a plurality of decoy pennants attached to a decoy line. The pennants and decoy line form a decoy line train. Opposite ends of the decoy line train include a swivel and a line connector for attaching to another decoy line train. A portion of the decoy line train is attached to a top of each line pole for suspending the decoy pennants above a ground surface or a water surface. One or more of the line poles can be mounted on top of a spring mounted line pole coupling. The line pole coupling is attached to a ground stake. The decoy system also includes a backpack or dolly with a vertical hand operated vertical spool for holding the pennants and decoy line trains thereon and transporting the decoy system to and from the hunting area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to decoys used in attracting waterfowl and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a decoy system which can be used to effectively attract and harvest different types of waterfowl on land and water environments.

[0003] (b) Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] Heretofore, there have been a variety of different types of waterfowl decoys used when hunting ducks and geese. The decoys are made of wood, plastic and other materials and designed for floating on water or used in a field.

[0005] In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,608,983 to Adams, 5,572,824 to Szolis and 5,003,718 to Lenert, et al., different types of recent decoy construction are described. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,219 to Chargo, et al., a waterfowl decoy assembly is illustrated having a decoy connected to a reel and anchor line. The anchor line is attached to an anchor for holding the decoy in place on top of a body of water. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,905 to Girdley, et al., a method and apparatus for simulating live waterfowl is disclosed using animated decoys on a water surface.

[0006] Recently, a Wisconsin hunter has used die-cut flying goose silhouettes. The silhouettes are attached to a line strung between two polls. These goose silhouettes are designed to add realism to a goose spread including shell type goose decoys.

[0007] None of the prior art patented duck and geese decoys mentioned above and the flying goose silhouettes on a pole line specifically provide the unique features, structure, objects and advantages of the subject waterfowl decoy system described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary objective of the subject invention to provide waterfowl hunters with a decoy system that is inexpensive, efficient in use and effective in attracting and harvesting different types of waterfowl.

[0009] Another object of the invention is the decoy system creates an illusion of large numbers of waterfowl actively feeding or resting, thereby appealing to their flock mentality and feeding frenzy instincts. The system includes a large number of triangular decoy pennants, which can be colored to simulate a particular type of goose or duck. The pennants can be made in different sizes such as 9 by 12 inches for ducks, 12 by 18 inches snow geese and 18 inches by 24 inches for Canadian geese.

[0010] Yet another object is the decoy system can be animated when wind conditions are calm. This feature further enhances it's illusionary characteristics.

[0011] A further object of the invention is it can be set up and quickly dismantled meeting certain state regulations requiring that no decoys can be left on public land overnight. The decoy system can be used on land and different bodies of water.

[0012] Still another object of the invention is the system is portable and can be carried on a backpack or on a dolly for ease in carrying to and from the field. The backpack can be used for carrying a small number of pennants while the dolly used for carrying large numbers of pennants

[0013] The waterfowl decoy system includes a large number of triangular decoy pennants. The pennants are designed to simulate different types of geese and ducks. Each pennant is attached to a decoy line. A plurality of pennants and the decoy line form a decoy line train. The decoy system can include 500, 1000, 2000 and more decoy pennants connected together in a single or multiple decoy line trains. The system also includes line poles for holding the pennants and decoy line trains above the top of a land or water surface. One or more of the line poles may be attached to a spring post with coil spring. Each line pole connected to a spring post may include a jerk string. When the jerk string is pulled by a hunter, the pennants are animated during calm wind conditions. Also, the jerk string can be pulled to add enhanced realism directly related to the landing and feeding behavior of the waterfowl. A spool with spool handle is used for winding and unwinding the pennants and decoy line trains thereon for ease in installing and removing the decoy system. The spool may be mounted on a backpack or on wheel mounted dolly for ease in carrying the decoy system to and from the hunting site.

[0014] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with various types of duck and goose decoys and different types of decoy hunting systems when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments in the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the decoy system mounted in a field location. A pair of jerk strings are shown being pulled by a hunter for animating the decoy pennants and simulating ducks or geese feeding in a corn field.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a small portion of one of the decoy line trains illustrating a pair of the pennants attached to a decoy line. The opposite ends of the decoy line train include a swivel and line connector for attaching additional decoy line trains.

[0018]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a spring post with coil spring attached to a decoy line pole. The spring post with coil spring is used for moving the line pole back and forth for animating the decoy pennants.

[0019]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the line pole shown in FIG. 3A and attached to a decoy line train with a plurality of decoy pennants. The line pole is attached to a pull jerk string.

[0020]FIG. 3C is a perspective view of another spring mounted line pole coupling used for receiving a decoy line pole thereon and allowing movement of the line pole back and forth.

[0021]FIG. 4A is a front view of a spool with spool handle used for wrapping the decoy pennants and decoy line train thereon.

[0022]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the spool and spool handle shown in FIG. 4A and with a dowel used for mounting at the bottom of the spool and turning the spool thereon.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spool mounted on a spool base and illustrating the decoy pennants and decoy line train being either wrapped or unwrapped on the spool.

[0024]FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the spool and spool base attached to a backpack.

[0025]FIG. 6B illustrates the backpack shown in FIG. 6A mounted on the back of a hunter with the spool having the decoy pennants and decoy line train wrapped thereon.

[0026]FIG. 7 illustrates the spool and spool base mounted on a two wheel dolly for transporting to and from the hunting field.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In FIG. 1, a perspective view of the subject waterfowl decoy system is illustrated and having a general reference numeral 10. The decoy system 10 is shown in a field setting with a pair of duck or goose hunters 12. The system 10 includes a large number of triangular shaped decoy pennants 14. The pennants 14 are designed to simulate different types of geese and ducks. A portion of each pennant 14 is attached to light weight decoy line 16. The decoy line 16 is shown in FIG. 2 and may be made of various weights of heavy duty fishing line and the like. Each of the decoy lines 16, with pennants 14, is joined together to form a decoy line train 18. A portion of each decoy line train 18 is attached to the top of a number of upright line poles 20. The bottom of each line pole 20 is inserted into the ground surface, as shown in the drawing. Typically, the line poles 20 may be spaced apart at 150 foot intervals. Also, if the system 10 is used in a water setting, obviously the bottom of the poles 20 are inserted into the underwater surface for holding the pennants 14 and the decoy line train 18 above the top of the water. Further, the waterfowl decoy system 10 may be set up with a series of parallel decoy line trains 18. Still further, the length of the line trains 18 can be at various angles to each other, as shown in FIG. 1, to simulate ducks and geese feeding or resting in the cornfield. The number of pennants 14 may vary from a small number of 25 to 50 pennants in a train or up to 500 to 1000 pennants or more depending on the field conditions and the type of waterfowl being hunted. As mentioned above, the pennants 14 can be made in different sizes. For example, 9 by 12 inches for ducks, 12 by 18 inches snow geese and 18 inches by 24 inches for Canadian geese.

[0028] Also shown in FIG. 1 is one of the hunters 12 holding a pair of pull jerk strings 22 attached to two of the line poles 20. The line poles 20 may be mounted on a spring post 24 with a coil spring 26 for aiding in a swinging movement of the line poles 20 when actuated by the pull jerk strings 22. The swinging movement of the line poles 20 is indicated by arrows 28. The spring post 24 and coil spring 26 can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this drawing, a portion of one of the pull jerk lines 22 is shown received through the eye of a screw anchor 30. The screw anchor 30 is used in helping adjust the angle of movement of the pull jerk string 22 on the line pole 20 pivotally attached to the spring post 24.

[0029] It should be mentioned that in this drawing, adjacent decoy line trains 18 can be connected to each other using a line connecting jerk string 32. Opposite ends of the connecting jerk string 32 are attached to the adjacent decoy line trains 18. Also, opposite ends of the connecting jerk string 32 can be connected to adjacent line poles 20. When the connecting jerk string 32 is used and when one decoy line train 18 or pole 20 is moved, the connected adjacent decoy line train 18 or pole 20 is also moved.

[0030] While the pull jerk strings 20 and the line connecting jerk strings 26 are shown in FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that various interconnecting lines can be used for attachment to the decoy line trains 18 and/or the line poles 20 for help in the animation of the pennants 14 during calm weather conditions.

[0031] In FIG. 2, a perspective view of a small portion of one of the decoy line trains 18 is illustrated with a pair of the pennants 14 attached to the decoy line 16. The opposite ends of the decoy line train 18 include a swivel 36 and a line connector 38 for attaching additional decoy line trains 18. The swivels 36 allow the pennants 14 along the length of the decoy line train 18 to rotate freely and prevent the pennants from tangling on the decoy line 16. The decoy line trains 18 can have various lengths depending on the hunting site and the nature of the waterfowl being hunted. In FIG. 2, the decoy pennants 14 are, for example, colored brown with a black strip at a tip 40 of each pennant, to simulate the appearance of a Canadian goose.

[0032] In FIG. 3A, a perspective view of the spring post 24 with coil spring 26 is shown attached to a decoy line pole 20. In this drawing, one end of the spring 26 is attached to the post 24 with the other end attached to the bottom of the decoy line pole 20. The pole 20 is pivotally attached to the top of the post 24 using a pivot pin 42. The spring post 24 with coil spring 26 is used for moving the line pole 20 back and forth, as indicated by arrows 28, for animating the decoy pennants 14.

[0033] In FIG. 3B, a perspective view of the line pole 20, shown in FIG. 3A, is illustrated. In this view, the pull jerk string 22 is connected to the line pole 20 for moving the pole back and forth on the spring post as mentioned above.

[0034] In FIG. 3C, a perspective view of another spring mounted line pole coupling 41 is shown with a pair of spring plates 43 attached to opposite ends of a pair of coil springs 45. The spring plates 43 includes a pair of sleeves 47 used for receiving a lower end of a line pole 20 and an upper end of a ground stake 49, which is shown driven into a ground surface. The use of the pole coupling 41 provides for another way of moving the line pole 20 back and forth, as indicated by arrows 28.

[0035] In FIG. 4A, a front view of a vertical spool is shown for wrapping the decoy pennants 14 and decoy line train 18 thereon. The spool is shown having general reference numeral 44. The spool 44 includes a spool handle 46 mounted on a top arm 48. The top arm 48 is attached to the top of a vertical spool drum 50. The vertical spool 44 also includes an intermediate pennant suspension arm 52 and a bottom arm 54 extending outwardly from the sides of the spool drum 50.

[0036] In FIG. 4B, a perspective view of the spool 44 is shown with a dowel 56 shown positioned for attachment to the bottom arm 54 of the spool drum 50. When the spool handle 46 is turned, the spool drum 50 is rotated on the dowel 56.

[0037] In FIG. 5, a perspective view of the spool 44 is shown with the dowel 56 mounted on a spool base 58. In this drawing, one end of the decoy line train 18 is shown attached to the spool drum 50 for winding the pennants 14 and decoy line train 18 on the spool 44. An upper portion of the suspension arm 52 is used to receive the decoy line train 18 thereon so that the pennants 14 are held in place on the spool 44 and do not slip downwardly, due to the overall weight of the pennants 14 wrapped on the spool 44.

[0038] In FIG. 6A, a perspective view of the spool 44 is shown with the spool base mounted on a backpack. The backpack is shown having general reference numeral 60. The backpack 60 includes shoulder straps 62 attached to a backpack frame 64.

[0039] In FIG. 6B, the backpack 60 is shown mounted on the back of one of the hunters 12. In this drawing, the spool 44 is shown with the pennants 14 and decoy line train 18 wound on the spool drum 50.

[0040] In FIG. 7, the spool 44 is shown mounted on a two wheel dolly 66 for transporting to and from the field. The dolly 66 also includes an extra spool base 58 and dowel 56 for receiving a second spool 44 thereon. Obviously, from reviewing FIGS. 6B and 7, the backpack 60 and the dolly 66 are two different ways for easily transporting the decoy system 10 to and from a hunting area.

[0041] While the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed except as precluded by the prior art. 

The embodiments of the invention for which as exclusive privilege and property right is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A waterfowl decoy system used by one or more hunters for simulating large numbers of geese or ducks in a field or on water, the decoy system comprising: a plurality of decoy pennants, each of said pennants attached to a decoy line, said pennants and decoy line form a decoy line train; and a plurality of line poles, a portion of said decoy line train attached to a top of each line pole, said line poles suspending said decoy pennants above a ground surface or water surface when hunting geese or ducks.
 2. The decoy system as described in claim 1 further including means for pivoting at least one line pole and moving said decoy line train for animating said decoy pennants.
 3. The decoy system as described in claim 1 wherein opposite ends of said decoy line train include a swivel and a line connector for coupling together another decoy line train.
 4. The decoy system as described in claim 1 wherein said pennants include 25 to 2000 and more, said pennants connected together in a single and multiple decoy line trains.
 5. The decoy system as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of said line poles is pivotally attached to a spring mounted line pole coupling, said line pole attached to one end of a pull jerk string, whereby when said pull jerk string is pulled by a hunter, said line pole is pivoted on said line pole coupling for moving said decoy line train and animating said pennants.
 6. The decoy system as described in claim 1 further including a spool with spool handle for winding said decoy pennants and decoy line train on said spool when transporting the decoy system to and from a hunting area.
 7. A waterfowl decoy system used by one or more hunters for simulating large numbers of geese or ducks in a field or on water, the decoy system comprising: a plurality of decoy pennants, each of said pennants having a base attached to a decoy line, said pennants having a body and tip with different colors and designs for simulating different types of ducks and geese, said pennants and decoy line forming a decoy line train; a plurality of line poles, a portion of said decoy line trains attached to a top of each line pole, said line poles suspending said decoy pennants above a ground surface or water surface when hunting geese or ducks; and line pole pivot means attached to one or more of said line poles for pivoting said line pole and moving said decoy line for animating said decoy pennants.
 8. The decoy system as described in claim 7 wherein said line pole pivot means includes a spring post with a coil spring, said line pole connected to said spring and pivotally attached to said spring post.
 9. The decoy system as described in claim 8 further including a pull jerk string, one end of said pull jerk string connected to said line pole attached to said spring post.
 10. The decoy system as described in claim 7 further including one or more train connecting jerk strings, opposite ends of said train connecting jerk strings connected to a pair of decoy line trains.
 11. A waterfowl decoy system used by a hunter for simulating large numbers of geese and ducks in a field or on water, the decoy system comprising: a plurality of decoy pennants, said pennants attached to a decoy line, said pennants and decoy lines forming a decoy line train; a plurality of line poles, a portion of said decoy line train attached to a top of each line pole and adapted for suspending said decoy pennants above a ground surface or water surface when hunting geese or ducks; a spring mounted line pole coupling, at least one of said line poles pivotally attached to a top of said line pole coupling, and means for pivoting said line pole on said line pole coupling, said means for pivoting attached to a portion of said line pole.
 12. The decoy system as described in claim 11 wherein said means for pivoting is a pull jerk string, one end of said jerk string attached to said line pole.
 13. The decoy system as described in claim 11 further including a train connecting jerk string, opposite ends of said train connecting jerk string connected to a pair of parallel decoy line trains.
 14. The decoy system as described in claim 11 further including a plurality of spring mounted line pole couplings, a plurality of said line posts pivotally mounted on said line pole couplings, said line posts pivoted on said line pole couplings by more than one pull jerk strings.
 15. The decoy system as described in claim 11 wherein opposite ends of said decoy line train include a swivel and a line connector for coupling to another decoy line train.
 16. The decoy system as described in claim 11 wherein said pennants include 25 to 1000 and more connected together in a single and multiple decoy line trains, said decoy line trains disposed parallel to each other and at an angle to each other.
 17. The decoy system as described in claim 11 further including a spool with spool handle for winding said decoy pennants and decoy line train on said spool when transporting the decoy system to and from a hunting area, said spool mounted on a backpack.
 18. The decoy system as described in claim 11 further including a spool with spool handle for winding said decoy pennants and decoy line train on said spool when transporting the decoy system to and from a hunting area, said spool mounted on a wheeled dolly. 